Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, July 4
Heavy monsoon rains have caused severe destruction in Himachal Pradesh, with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu confirming over ₹700 crore in damages so far. The natural disaster has claimed 69 lives and left 37 people missing since the monsoon began on 20 June. Following a high-level meeting at the state secretariat chaired by the Chief Minister, and attended by Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, Deputy Speaker Vinay Kumar and top officials, the state government announced interim relief measures. These include ₹5,000 per month as rental assistance to displaced families, along with ration and essential supplies.
The Chief Minister said he spoke with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who assured all possible support. A central team is also visiting Himachal to assess the extent of the losses.
Sukhu termed the repeated incidents of cloudbursts in the region “alarming” and called for a scientific study to understand the underlying causes. At present, 280 roads remain blocked, electricity is disrupted in 332 locations, and 784 water supply schemes are affected. Responding to Opposition Leader Jairam Thakur’s allegations that the CM was unreachable during the crisis, Sukhu said the claim was false. “I personally spoke with him and even directed the Mandi DC to coordinate,” he said. “Unfortunately, Thakur is trying to politicise the tragedy. Relief, not politics, should be the priority.”
Sukhu also made a pointed remark at actor Kangana Ranaut, suggesting she consult with Jairam Thakur and visit the affected areas to help rather than comment from afar. In a sharp critique of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Chief Minister raised concerns about the ongoing four-lane road construction works. He said local contractors should be preferred over big firms, arguing that locals better understand mountain-specific construction needs and techniques, which can minimise damage.
